Body structure for a motor vehicle and method of making same

ABSTRACT

So that intake water cannot flow from a frame side member of the body structure by way of a seat cross member into an exterior side member of the vehicle, a so-called partition part is arranged between the frame side member and the seat cross member, which partition part comprises a basic part and an expansion foam arranged thereon. As a result of the effect of heat, the expansion foam can expand to such an extent that the passage surface in the seat cross member is closed off in a watertight fashion and water can no longer enter the cross member.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims the priority of German Application No.102 37 962.9 filed Aug. 20, 2002, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The invention relates to a body structure for a motor vehicle.Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to a motor vehicle bodystructure assembly including a seat cross-member which is arranged toextend transversely with respect to, and be connected with, a frame sidemember and exterior side members, the frame side member comprising aU-profile with bent-away sections which are constructed as a top-sidesupport for the seat cross member, the seat cross member comprising aU-profile connected in each case on a facing side with the frame sidemember.

[0003] In the case of vehicles, particularly cross-country vehicles, itis problematic that, by way of the frame side member of the bodystructure, water may enter an exterior side member by way of a seatcross member.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a body structure,particularly a sealing in the body structure, which prevents a waterintake into the lateral exterior side member of the vehicle.

[0005] According to preferred embodiments of the invention, in the caseof a body structure the above-mentioned type, this object is achieved byproviding a body structure for a motor vehicle, having a seatcross-member which is arranged to extend transversely with respect to,and be connected with, a frame side member and exterior side members,the frame side member comprising a U-profile with bent-away sectionswhich are constructed as a top-side support for the seat cross member,the seat cross member comprising a U-profile connected in each case on afacing side with the frame side member, wherein a partition part isarranged between a bent-away section of the frame side member whichfaces the side member, and wherein the partition part in a watertightmanner closes off a passage surface formed by the bent-away section andthe U-profile of the seat cross member.

[0006] Important advantages achieved by means of the invention are that,by means of a so-called partition part, a sealing-off is providedagainst an intake of water into the side member. This partition part isarranged between a bent-away section of the frame side member, whichfaces the side member, and the seat cross-member. By means of thepartition part, the passage surface of the bent-away section of theframe side member and of the U-profile of the seat cross-member isclosed off in a watertight manner.

[0007] In the installed condition, the partition part is arranged in avertical plane and comprises a basic member with a surrounding expansionfoam which is arranged in a spaced manner in the passage surface. Thisexpansion foam surrounds the basic member, and, after the fastening, forexample, by way of a snap-type connection, as a result of heat or thelike, the foam can expand to such an extent that the passage surface inthe seat cross member is closed off in a watertight manner with respectto the lateral side member.

[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a part of a frame sidemember of a vehicle body structure constructed according to a preferredembodiment of the invention, with a seat cross member arranged above theside member, which seat cross member is connected on an end side with alateral side member; and

[0010]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane of Line II-II ofFIG. 1, showing the seat cross member and the frame side member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 shows, as part of a vehicle structure, a part of a frameside member 2 with a part of a seat cross member 3 and a part of alateral side member 4 of a vehicle. Viewed in the driving direction F,the left side of the vehicle body structure 1 is shown.

[0012] The frame side member 2 comprises essentially a U-profile withbent-away sections 5 and 6 on which the seat cross member 3 issupported. This seat cross member 3 includes an upper and a lowerU-profile 7 and 8 whose bent-away sections 7 a, 7 b and 8 c, 8 d aredisposed on one another, which is illustrated in detail in FIG. 2. InFIG. 1, the bottom U-profile 8 of the seat cross member 3 is not shown.

[0013] Between the bent-away section 6 of the frame side member 2 andthe U-profile 7 of the seat cross member 3 situated on top, a partitionpart 10 is arranged which is connected by means of clips 11, 12 with thebent-away section 6 of the frame side member 2.

[0014] This partition part 10 comprises a basic member 13 which issurrounded by an expanding foam part 14. This foam part 14 isillustrated in FIG. 2 in the inserted condition I (crossed lines). Inthe expanded condition II (spotted surface), the foam places itselfdirectly onto the interior wall of the profile 7 of the seat crossmember 3 and the surface of the bent-away section 6 of the frame sidemember 2, so that the passage surface D is tightly closed off on allsides, and therefore no more water can flow from the frame side member 2into the side member 4. The water intake into the frame side member 2may take place by way of the openings 15 and, from there, by way of theseat cross member 3 through the welds into the side member 4.

[0015] The foamed part 14 is caused to expand by the effect of heat, andit is ensured that the sealing in condition II is absolutely watertightand durable.

[0016] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustratethe invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications ofthe disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. Body structure for a motor vehicle, having a seatcross-member which is arranged to extend transversely with respect to,and be connected with, a frame side member and exterior side members,the frame side member comprising a U-profile with bent-away sectionswhich are constructed as a top-side support for the seat cross member,the seat cross member comprising a U-profile connected in each case on afacing side with the frame side member, wherein a partition part isarranged between a bent-away section of the frame side member whichfaces the side member, and wherein the partition part in a watertightmanner closes off a passage surface formed by the bent-away section andthe U-profile of the seat cross member.
 2. Body structure according toclaim 1, wherein, in an installed condition, the partition part isconstructed with a basic member arranged in a vertical plane and asurrounding expansion foam which is arranged at a spacing from passagesurfaces of the frame side member and the seat cross member.
 3. Bodystructure according to claim 1, wherein the passage surfaces in an endinstalled condition, are sealingly filled on all sides with theexpansion foam.
 4. Body structure according to claim 1, wherein thebasic support is connected with the bent-away section of the frame sidemember profile by way of fastening elements.
 5. Body structure accordingto claim 4, wherein the fastening elements are clips.
 6. Body structureaccording to claim 3, wherein the basic support is connected with thebent-away section of the frame side member profile by way of fasteningelements.
 7. Body structure according to claim 6, wherein the fasteningelements are clips.
 8. A vehicle body assembly comprising: an exteriorlateral side member which in use extends along a lateral side of avehicle body, a frame side member which in use extends along the vehiclebody at a spacing from the exterior lateral side member, and a seatcross member supported on the exterior lateral side member and the frameside member, and a partition assembly interposed between the seat crossmember and the frame side member and operable to form a watertight sealbetween the facing sections of the frame side member and the seat crossmember.
 9. A vehicle body assembly according to claim 8, wherein saidseat cross member and frame side member are formed as U-profile memberswhich face one another to form a passage intermediate facing flanges,and wherein said partition assembly is disposed in use in said passage.10. A vehicle body assembly according to claim 9, wherein said partitionassembly comprises: a basic member disposed to be spaced from respectivefacing walls of said passage, and expandable foam surrounding the basicmember to sealingly fill respective spaces between the basic member andthe respective facing walls of said passage.
 11. A vehicle body assemblyaccording to claim 10, comprising fasteners fastening bent away flangesof said frame side member to said basic member.
 12. A method of makingthe assembly of claim 11, comprising: fastening the basic member to saidframe side member, fastening the seat cross member to said frame sidemember with the already fastened basic member, filling spaces betweenthe basic member and the seat cross member and frame side member withexpandable foam material, and heating the assembly to cause the foammaterial to expand and seal said passage.
 13. A vehicle body assemblycomprising: an exterior lateral side member which in use extends along alateral side of a vehicle body, a frame side member which in use extendsalong the vehicle body at a spacing from the exterior lateral sidemember, and a seat cross member supported on the exterior lateral sidemember and the frame side member, and partition means interposed betweensaid seat cross member and frame side member to form a watertight sealbetween facing sections of the frame side member and seat cross memberto thereby prevent water leakage from the frame side member through theseat cross member to said exterior lateral side member.
 14. A partitionassembly interposable between a vehicle frame side member and a vehicleseat cross member to prevent water transmission from the vehicle frameside member to a vehicle exterior lateral side member by way of the seatcross member, said partition assembly comprising: a basic partition partdisposable in a passage formed between the seat cross member and theframe side member, and expandable foam surrounding the basic partitionpart.
 15. A method of making a vehicle body assembly comprising:comprising: an exterior lateral side member which in use extends along alateral side of a vehicle body, a frame side member which in use extendslaterally of the vehicle body at a spacing from the exterior lateralside member, and a seat cross member supported on the exterior lateralside member and the frame side member, said method including: placing asolid basic member in a passage formed between facing portion of saidframe side member and seat cross member, filling the passage withexpandable foam, and expanding said foam to seal said passage andthereby create a watertight seal preventing communication of water fromthe frame side member by way of the seat cross member to the exteriorlateral side member.